Armenian Studies Program 37th Annual Banquet Brings Community and University Together

Rachel Yepremian-Owens
Staff Writer

On March 16, Fresno State students, family members, faculty, and administrators gathered at Fort Washington Country Club in Fresno for the Armenian Studies Program 37th Annual Banquet.

The Armenian Studies Program Annual Banquet recognizes scholarship recipients, and the Program was pleased to announce that $110,000 in scholarships was awarded to 52 students for the 2024-2025 academic year. Twenty-three of those students are currently pursuing a Minor in Armenian Studies, with five of them graduating in Spring 2025.

The Armenian Studies Program has organized over 20 events over the course of the academic year. Ranging from guest lectures by scholars, to film festivals, and book launches, the Program and its students are making great efforts keeping Armenian history and culture alive in Fresno.

“One of the things that I want everyone here to appreciate is that this type of Banquet that we are attending is quite unique,” said Dr. David Zakarian, Haig and Isabel Berberian Professor of Armenian Studies, who was the honored guest at the event. “Nowhere else in the world will you come across an event like this, where hundreds of talented students and their families, faculty members, the university President, the Provost, and the Deans are present, and they are all celebrating the Armenian Studies Program.”

Berberian Coordinator of Armenian Studies Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, who hosted the event, was recognized at the banquet for the 40th anniversary of his teaching at Fresno State.

University President Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, Dean of the College of Arts & Humanities Dr. Honora Chapman, Associate Dean of the College of Arts & Humanities, Dr. Matthew Darling, Interim Dean of the Kremen School of Education and Human Development Dr. Sergio La Porta, Executive Director of University Initiatives Dr. Gil Harootunian, Director of the Fresno State Humanics Program, Dr. Matthew Jendian, Kazan Visiting Professor, Dr. Talin Suciyan, and Armenian Studies Professor Dr. Hagop Ohanessian were among the special guests who were in attendance.

“We are so honored in the College of Arts & Humanities to be the home of Armenian Studies,” said Dean Chapman. “Armenian Studies embodies everything that the Arts & Humanities values about expressing oneself through the arts and you see it in the Program.”

The evening began with a reception, before students gathered with faculty and administrators for a group photo. Prof. Der Mugrdechian then introduced Rev. Nerses Balabanian, pastor of Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church, who gave the invocation for the evening.

Dr. Hagop Ohanessian introduced Dr. Sergio La Porta who gave his remarks. During Dr. La Porta’s comments he announced a surprise recognition of Prof. Der Mugrdechian for his fortieth year of teaching at Fresno State. Former students Marine Vardanyan Peters and Tatevik Hovhannisyan, both of whose lives were greatly impacted by Prof. Der Mugrdechian, presented him with a special gift, a Noah’s Ark centerpiece by Michael Aram. They also put together a video to celebrate Prof. Der Mugrdechian’s anniversary. The video included comments from both former students and fellow faculty members, truly showing how much Prof. Der Mugrdechian has shaped the Armenian Studies Program into what it is today.

“We thought this was a beautiful symbol of our appreciation for him because you truly have shaped us into the individuals that we are today,” said Marine Vardanyan Peters. “With the Noah’s Ark, [we thought] it represents a safe harbor and that is what Professor Barlow is to us.”

Prof. Der Mugrdechian then introduced Fresno State President Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, who has been a close friend of the Armenian Studies Program for many years.

“As president, it is my job to look at the university from a broader view and when I do that, it is very clear that the Armenian Studies Program is the jewel of Fresno State,” said Dr. Jiménez-Sandoval.

Students, families and faculty enjoyed their dinner along with friendly table conversations. Prof. Der Mugrdechian then recognized officers of the Armenian Students Organization (ASO): President Harutyun Amirkhanyan, Vice-President Careen Derkalousdian, Treasurer Jonathan Chardukian, Secretary Ani Sargsyan and Public Relations Officer Sylvie Khatchikian, who each received a certificate of recognition for their dedication to the student-led organization.

Five graduating students, David Ashkharian, Careen Derkalousdian, Charles Garabedian III, Izabella Papikyan, and Ani Sargsyan, each of whom had earned an Armenian Studies Minor, were then recognized and given the opportunity to share brief remarks about the Program and how it has impacted their lives, not only as students, but as Armenian community members.

“If you take a step back and really think about it, just the idea of being able to take a class at your university about your culture, whether it is art, history or language, is really significant and in our case rare,” Sargsyan said.

“It’s something that can be easily taken for granted and I am so glad to have been part of something like this program. I can confidently say that it has shaped my college experience for the better.”

Fresno State’s Armenian Studies Program has been something that has not only unified Fresno’s Armenian students, but also Fresno’s Armenian community as a whole.

The Armenian Studies Banquet has been a rewarding tradition for many years.